Impact recorder



IMPACT RECORDER Filed 26, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eda/a rdgiou 1 Dec 25, 1928. 1,696,420

E. s'rour IMPACT RECORDER Filed Feb. 26, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 zi ti z? j gnuemfoz Edward Sioui Dec. 25, 1928. 1,696,420-

E. STOUT IMPACT RECORDER Filed Feb. 26, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 3 7 7/ 63 7/ 7' it Qnvcufoz Eda/a 711510111 Patented Dec. 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES EDWARD STOUT, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA.

nnmc'r RECORDER.

Application filed February 26, 1925. Serial No. 11.192.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in impact recorders for rolling stock and is an improvement on the type of recorder disclosed in Patent N 0. 1,247 ,7 37 dated November 27, 1917, and it is'an object of the invention to provide a device of this character wherein the tap'e,during the operation of the recorder, is maintained under a tension to assure accurate recording on the tape during its travel.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character wherein a drum is employed for imparting the requisite travel to t e tape together with means for connecting said drum with a time operating drive mechanism, said connection being of a character to permit rotation of the drum independently of the time operated mechanism to properly set the tape.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character employing a drum for imparting requisite trayel to the tape together with time operated dllV- ing means for operating said drum and wherein means are provided to render said connection inoperative to permit the operation of the time mechanism independently of the drum.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this general character wherein the recording tape is in driven connection with a toothed drum together with a platform over which the tape traverses constructed and arranged in a manner to prevent the tape from sticking to or otherwise retarded by the drum together with means coacting with the platform for imposing tension on the tape to steady the same during its travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. device of this character wherein is employed a marking implement supported in a manner whereby the same is yieldingly urged to contact with the tape, the resultant tension upon the marking implement being regulable as the requirements of practice may prefer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character which may be readily transferred from freight service to passenger service and vice versa, and wherein the time operated mechanism employed is not subjected to damage by coming m contact with other parts of the machine especially at its driving connection with the drum.

The invention also comprises amongst its objects the provision of a structure wherein the machine in general is of material strength and wherein is employed an outside cover and machine base adapted tobe connected in a manner to impart strength and protection to the machine in side impacts.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved impact recorder whereby certain important advantages are attained and the de vice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a recorder constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention with the cover removed and the apparatus shown as suspended on a sidewall;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through the deviceas illustrated in Figure 1 with the cover applied;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the vibratory member and parts concomitant thereto as herein disclosed and with a bob attachment applied Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the bob attachment as illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of the holding member as herein disclosed.

As disclosed'in the accompanying draw ings, B denotes a base member of requisite dimensions and configuration which has its marginal portion defined by the substantially perpendicularly related flanges 1. Held to the central portion of the base member B and in close contact with the face thereof snugly e remote from the flanges 1 is a plate 2 of requisite dimensions and configuration, said plate 2 being held in desired position upon the base B by the bolts 3 or equivalent attaching means.

To one marginal portion of the plate 2 is anchored an outstanding and substantially perpendicularly related plate 4 which has its outer end portion continued by the returned plate 5 the outer portion, of said plate, as at 5 being substantially in parallelism with the plate 4 with the inner major portion of said plate 5 disposed on a predetermined incline outwardly with respect to the plate 4, with the free end portion of said plate 5 anchored to the plate 2. The plates t and 5 are attached to the plate 2 by the bolts 6 or the like which also provide additional means for securing the plate 2 to the base B. The plates 4 and 5 provide a rigid and secure support'for the substantially U-shaped frame F the intermediate member 7 of which being engaged between the plate 4 and the paral 1 portion 5 of the plate 5 and secured thereto by the screws or bolts 8. The side members 9 of the frame F are disposed on a predetermined incline toward t-he plate 2 and each of said members 9 has its free end portion connected by a bolt 10 or the like with the upper portion of a side member 11 oft-he supporting member M. This member M is in the form of an inverted U and the free end portions of its side members 11 are bolted, as at 12, or otherwise secured to the plate 2, said attaching means 12 also'serving to further secure the plate 2 to the base B.

The side members 9 are continued by the inwardly ofi'set extensions 1* disposed outwardly of the member M to provide suitable mounting for the shank or spindle 15 upon which is adapted to be arranged a roll of unused tape T. The spindle or shank '15 when applied. also has its extremities disposed through the outer end portions of the outstanding brace members 16 each bolted, as at 17, or otherwise secured to the plate 2, said attaching means 17 also serving to hold the plate 2 to the base B; One end portion of the shank or spindle 15 is provided with a head 18 for contact with a brace member 16 from without while the opposite end portion of the shank or spindle 15 has threaded thereon a wing nut 19 or the like to engage the second'brace member 16 from without. lVlien the nut 19 is tightened up after the roll of tape has been applied on the shank or spindle 15, the brace members 16 rigidly engage the extensions 14 and serve to provide additional means to maintain the completed machine rigid for action.

The fastening members 10 also provide attaching means for a platform 20 underlying and spaced'from the intermediate or baseportion 21 of the member M, each of said fastening members 10 being engaged with an angularly disposed lug 22 carried by a side of the platform 20. The outer margin of the platform 20 is defined by a flange disposed inwardly of the member M so that the tape '1 may readily pass over the shank or spindle 15 upon the platform without liability of injury. The platform 20 extends beyond the member M inwardly of the frame F a desired distance and terminates in an-apron 24 disposed toward the plate 2 and terminating in relatively close proximity thereto, said apron having its free end portion arranged on a curvature to partially underlie a drum D. The drum D is of requisitedimensions and constitutes the driving medium for the tape T. v

-As herein disclosed, the drum D is fixed to a sleeve 25 disposed axially therethrougli and extending a desired distance beyond an end thereof. The extended portion of the sleeve 25 is rotatably dis osed through an upstanding bearing 26 b0 ted or otherwise at tached to the plate 2 and base B. Disposed through the sleeve 25 is a rod 27 provided at one end with a head 28 adapted to have close contact with a disc or plate 29 loosely mounted on said rod 27 between said head 28 and an end of the drum D. The opposite end portion of the rod 27 has threaded thereon a wing nut 30 which when turned into requisite contact with the outer end of the extension of the sleeve 25 clamps the plate or disc 29 to the drum D for unitary rotation. W'hen the nut 30 is loosened it will be readily understood that the disc or plate 29 is capable of rotation independently of the drum D. I

Extending outwardly from the disc or plate 29 at diametrically opposed points are the pins 31 which extend within the openings 32 produced in the extremities of the bar 33 carried b the driven member 34 com prised inthe t1me operated mechanism- A. This connection between the plate or disc 29 and the member 34 is in the fashion of a universal joint and as the mechanism A is attached only at its base to the plate 2 it will be readily understood that the mechanism A will not. be damaged by the other portions of the machine as it yields slightly to severe impacts and the delicate parts of the mechanism A at the upper part thereof will not strike any other parts of the machine when such mechanism is in operation. The tape T passes from the rod or spindle 15 over the platform 20 and around the drum D from above and is extended to and wound upon the receivin or rewinding spmdie 35. One of the spin les at its axial center is provided with an outstanding pin 36 which is insertible through aside mem er 11, the second side member 11 having disposed therethrough a bolt 37 which is adapted to have threaded engagement with the adjacent end of the spindle 35. By this means, a spindle 35 may be readily removed or replaced as the occasions of practice will necessitate. One end portion of the spindle 35, preferably adjacent to the pin 36, is providcd with a drum 38 around which is disposed a belt 39 of rubber'or other yielding material, said belt being'also engaged within a circumterentiall disposed groove 40 produced in the pcrip iery of the drum D at one side of the a plied tape T. The drum 38 is of considcra ily less diameter than the drum D, whereby the spindle 35 is driven by what may be termed a friction belt drive as the belt 39 will slip on the drum 38 when undue resistance is offered to the rotation of the spindle 35 by the tape T, and the tape T will be maintained taut as it passes over the platform and will also be tightly wound on-the spindle as said spindle 35 will rotate with greater speed than the drum D.

The marginal portions of the tape T have produced therealong the openings 41 which receive the outstanding pins or fingers 42 carried by the drum D. The peripheral speed ofthe drum D is such as-to require a period (if fifteen minutes to cause the tape T to travel a distance equal to the space between the centers of adjacent openings 41 at each side of the tape T.

H denotes a holder member substantially U-shaped in form having its base or intermediate portion 43 detachably held to the portion 5 of the plate 5 b the screws or bolts 8 hcreinbefore referred to. The outer extremities of the side arms 44 of the holder H are inwardly oifset and arranged in parallelism and havin threaded therethrough from without the lts or screws 45 each of said bolts or screws 45 has threaded thereon a holding or look nut 46for contact with the outer face of the adjacent arm 44.

Suitably anchored to the intermediate por-- tion 43 of the holder H is an elongated plate 47 the end portions of each being continued by the elongated flat springs 48, said springs being in convergence toward their outer ends and of a length to partially overlie the base or intermediate portion 21 of the member M. Suitably smured to the plate 47 is an elongated flat spring 49 constituting a vibratory member, said spring being positioned at a point substantially midway of the springs 48 and coplanar therewith. This spring or vibratory member 49terminates inwardly of the intermediate or base portion 21 of the member M and is provided in its outer or free end with the perpendicularly related tubular member or sleeve 50 in which is adapted to be inserted a marking implement 51 such as a stick of lead for contact with the portion of the tape passing over the lat form 20. As herein disclosed, the mar 'ng implement 51 is constantly urged outwardly by the coil spring 52 arranged in the outer portion of the member or sleeve 50 and interposed between the inner or inserted end of the implement 51 and the cap screw 53 threaded in the outer end portion of the member or sleeve 50. Upon proper turning of the cap screw 53 the tension of the spring 52 may be regulated or adjusted as preferred.

The outer or converging end portions of the springs 48 .are closely adjacent to the member or sleeve 50 which is positioned therebetwecn, said springs 48 serving as tensioning members whereby undue ,vibration of the spring 49 is prevented under normal conditions so that a shock beyond the ordinary is required in order to cause the implement 51 to make a record to indicate such shock. To assure this function it is to be noted in Figure 1 that the free end portions of the springs 48 contact with the member 51.

It is required, in order to meet the conditions of travel, to regulate the tension of the springs 48 and as herein disclosed, this is accomplished through the medium of the bolts or screws 45 herelnbefore referred to which have their inner end portions in direct contact with the springs 48. After the tension of the springs 48 has been adjusted or regulated as required, the screws or bolts 45 are set or locked by the nuts 46.

Extending upwardly from the intermediate or base portion of the member M are the pins 54 which serve as stops or guards to prevent the outer end portions of the springs 48 passing beyondthecenter thereof interfering one with the resistance of the other. This is of material advantage as it assures functioning of the spring or vibratory member 49 at a standing start. The pins 54 are preferably of soft wire or other bendable material to permit the same to be-bent into position of adjustment so that a spring 48 will contact with the pins 54.

Extending upwardly from the extremities of the intermediate or base portion 21 of the member M are the pins 55 which serve to limit the outward relative movement of the springs 48. The functioning of the spring 49 is further facilitated by aflixing to the outer end portion thereof a weighted member or bob 56; This member or bob 56 increases the sensitiveness of the spring 49.

The member B adjacent to opposite marginal portions of the plate 2 is provided with the spaced openings or slots 57 herein disclosedas arranged in sets of two. 'i A cover member or casing C is adapted to be disposed over the recording mechanism and as herein disclosed one of the walls of said casing is provided with angular lugs 58 insertiblc through oneset of openings 57 and theopposed wall provided with the straight lugs 59 insertible through the second set of such openings 57 The wall of the casing provided with the straight lugs 59 also carries an outstanding loop or staple 60 adapted to be dis posed through a hasp 61 hingedly connected to the base member B whereby a lock 62 of any desired type may be employed to efiectively maintain the casing C in applied position and against unauthorized removal.

S denotes a supporting member herein disclosed as comprising aplate 63 of requisite dimensions and having its side mar inal portions defined by the outstanding anges 64 having their outer or free lon itudinal margins defined bythe inwardly disposed flanges 65. One end portion of the plate 63 has struck therefrom an outstanding flange 66 of a length less than the width of the plate 63 whereby are provided the outstanding side lugs 67 each of which being provided with a buttonhole slot 68. The opposite end portion of the plate 63 adjacent to the flanges 64 is also provided with the side bnttonhole' slots 69. The supporting member S is adapted to. be detachably engaged to either'theside wall or floor of any rolling stock such as a stock car, box car, refrigerator car or in the closets of passenger coaches and Pullman sleepers. The buttonhole slots 68 and 69 are adapted to have disposed therethrough suitable headed members 70 such as screws or the like, the larger portions of the slots 68 and 69 permit ready passage therethro'ugh of the heads of such members 70. The supporting member S isthen moved or slipped to permit the members 70 to be engaged within the smaller or restricted end portions of the slots 68 and 69 and nails 71 or the like are then engaged with the floor or wall of the car in close contact with an end of the member S to prevent said member S from moving in a direction .to return the members 70 to the larger end portionsofthe slots 68 and 69 whereby accidental displacement of the member S is prevented.

After the member S has been properly positioned or mounted upon either the wall or floor of a car, the base member B has its side marginal portions engaged within the guideways provided by the flanges 64 and 65 with one end portion of said base member B in contact with the flange 66. If preferred, the base member B ma be engaged with the supporting member S efore said member S is engaged with a holding member 70.

To further maintainretpiisite tension upon the tape T and particu arly that portion thereof passing over the platform 20, I- find it of advantage to employ a spring 72 substantiall 1 in the form of a V and having one end portion held as b a screw 73 to the intermediate portion 21 iii the member M and with the oppositecnd portion of said spring provided with an angular-extension 74 contacting from above with said intermediate portion 21. The apex portion of the spring 72 places the tape T under tension by contact with the flange 23.

In practice, my improved device is applied within a car with the spring 49 downwardly disposed when the device is attached to a side wall orwhen placed upon the floor such spring is disposed transversely of the floor. The device is not placed within a car until after the springs 48 have been set to a predetermined standard and with the screws 45 and nuts 46 sealed by an oflicial'lead seal or the ord. This is of particular advantage when it is desired to determine whether or not the adjustment of the springs48 has been tampered with after being originally set. By sealing the screws 45 and nuts 46, it will be understood that the same cannot be operated;

to effect a further adjustment of the springs 48 without breaking the seals and this in itself will be indicative that the device has been tampered with. .The testing of the springs 48 is facilitated in view of the fact the member H may be readily removed.

When the device is applied within a car a. notation is made of the time and from which notation the various records indicated on the tape may be computed. If the car is subjected to shock, either train or yard service, the excessive vibration of the spring 49 will result in the implement 51 making the required record thereof upon the tape T and the extent of such shock may be estimated by the extent or length of the laterall directed lines upon the tape as produced I: ereon by the implement 51. It is to be stated at this time that the tape T travels in a direction at right angles to the travel of the car. The records produced on the tape T indicate the time when the rough usage of the car occurred and by ascertaining the location of the car at such indicated time it can be readily ascertained the place of such rough usa' e and the crew or trainman in charge and t ereby fix the responsibility.

The apron 24 hereinbefore referred to guides the tape T from the drum and particularly when said tape may have .a tendency to stick to the drum or the belt 39 becomes too loose. This apron 24 also protects the 'rewound tape that has run out and is entirely on the spindle 35 from getting caught or tangled upon the drum Dand be rewound backwardly on such drum.

It will also be readily understood that by loosening the nut 30 the time operated mechanism may be run independently of the drum D and thereby permit the tape to be removable when the device is not in use or to permit the drum D to be rotated by hand to set a point of the tape T with respect to the marking implement 51 as may be required.

When the device is employed in connection with passenger service it is preferred that the loo spring 49 be more responsive than when the device is used in connection with freight service. Therefore, when the device is emplo ed in connection with passenger service, I nd it of advantage to employ the attachment particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 which consists of a weighted member 75, herein disclosed as a bar, which may be of lead or other suitable metal and which has secured at substantially its longitudinal center an end portion of an elongated arm 76 the opposite end portion of which terminating in an angular extension 77 provided with an open slot 78. The arm 76 at a predetermined point intermediate its ends is provided with an opening 79. When this attachment is employed, the extension 77 through the medium of the open slot 78 is caused to straddle the inner end portion of the spring 49 and a screw 80 or the like is disposed through the opening 79 and engaged with the bob 56 hereinbefore referred to. When the attachment is so applied, the weighted member or bar 75 is positioned a considerable distance be 0nd the member or sleeve 50 with the res t that the spring 49 is more sensitive in its action.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an impact recorder constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it ma be assembled and operated, and it will also -be obvious that m invention is susceptible of some change an modification without departin from the principles and spirit thereof an for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. An impact recording device comprising, in combination, a base member, an outstanding plate secured thereto, said plate being continued by a returned plate inclined toward the base member in a direction away from the plate, means for connecting the returned plate to the base member, a substantially U-shaped frame secured between the outer end portions of the plates, a brace member substantially in the form of an inverted U having its side arms secured to the base member, the side members of the frame havin their outer end portions secured to the sife arms of the brace member, a platform supported by the side members of the frame at a point below the upper intermediate portion of the brace member, a tape for movement across the platform, and time operated means for imparting movement to the tape.

2. An impact recording device comprising a base member, an outstanding plate carried thereby, a holder member, means for detachably connecting said holder member to the plate, said holder member being substantially U-shaped in form with its side arms disposed away from the plate, outstanding diverging spring members carried by the holder but arranged inwardly of the side arms of the holder, an outstanding vibratory member carried by the holder between the spring members, and a marking implement carried by the vibratory member and positioned between the outer ends of the spring members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EDWARD STOUT. 

